Description

The Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics aims to prepare graduates with the professional and personal qualities required for future dietetic practice. The course integrates academic teaching and learning with clinical, population health, research and management experience and is undertaken in both academic and professional practice settings.

The curriculum has been carefully designed to integrate a thorough theoretical background with hands-on professional experience.

Objectives

The graduate will:

have knowledge in human nutrition science,food use in society,food science,nutrition education and behavioural science,nutritional assessment,clinical dietetics,community health and population health,organisation and management,and nutrition research and evaluation.

The graduate will also possess the professional skills and ability to:

interpret and translate nutrition science into practical information

conduct timely and appropriate clinical nutrition assessments

manage nutrition care in clinical and community settings

manage nutrition programs in the community

influence and contribute to a safe secure and nutritious food supply

conduct research and evaluation

maintain professional and ethical conduct as outlined in the DAA Code of Professional Conduct*

Credit for prior studies

Assessment for credit for prior studies will be made on an individual basis.

Special requirements

Health requirements

In order to meet health requirements for working in the wards of teaching hospitals and for protection of other students and themselves, students in the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics need to comply with certain precautionary procedures. These consist of confidential tests for immune status (including blood tests and skin tests), receiving vaccines and having x-rays where the evidence indicates these are appropriate and there are no specific contraindications in individual cases.

Prospective students should note that on enrolment, students are provided with detailed written information and, as appropriate, counselling about the effect that HIV or hepatitis B infection may have on the ability of health care workers to practise their profession. Additional information is provided to students in their third year when they are in contact with patients as part of their clinical studies.

Vaccinations

This policy is in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council advice that educational institutions training students in health sciences should ensure that such students are protected as far as possible by vaccination against risks of infection.

The faculty recommends that all students accept responsibility for having up-to-date immunisations before commencing the course. Recommended immunisations include diphtheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis and hepatitis B.

Police checks and Working with Children checks

Organisations that host clinical and community placements require students to have current Police and Working with Children checks regarding their suitability to undertake such placements. All enrolled and prospective students are advised that they will be required to obtain Police and Working with Children checks prior to undertaking their professional placements. Working with Children checks are valid for five years and are available free. Police checks must be applied and paid for annually. However, in some community partnered programs, there may be a requirement to have a police check renewed every six months.

Fieldwork

Clinical practice units

This course requires students to undertake off-campus clinical placements. In the clinical setting students will have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision. Attendance is mandatory for the clinical component of each unit.

Where a student's skill or knowledge is found to be inadequate, access to the clinical component of the unit will be denied. A student may be withdrawn from a clinical practicum if required skills and knowledge are deemed inadequate, or on other grounds deemed appropriate by the head of school.

Professional recognition

This course meets the accreditation requirements of the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA).

Structure

Students complete 26 compulsory units, some of which have clinical practice requirements.

The first two years of the course draw on the expertise of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences to provide a solid understanding of the science of dietetics, as well as examining the broader societal aspects of food, and include core units from the Bachelor of Biomedical Science. The second two years take place primarily in the professional practice setting and provide experience in practical dietetic skills, nutrition management of illnesses, food service operation and management, health care systems, public health and nutritional program planning. In addition, issues relating to rural health, primary care and community health will be explored.